3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday’s (19/11/23) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Race 1: #10 Star Club, #8 Romantic Hero, #7 Patch Of Time, #3 Party Warrior
Race 2: #6 Columbus County, #3 All For St Paul's, #7 Rise Brethren, #4 Champion Dragon
Race 3: #11 Prince Chiswick, #4 Raging Blizzard, #2 Victory Scholars, #8 Gorgeous Win
Race 4: #3 Lucky With You, #2 Flying Ace, #9 Lucky Encounter, #6 Bundle Of Charm 
Race 5: #2 Eighty Light Years, #9 G Liner, #6 Circuit Nine, #13 Lucky Fun
Race 6: #2 Sweet Encounter, #11 Intrepid Winner, #4 Turin Mascot, #10 C P Brave
Race 7: #4 Duke Wai, #2 Wellington, #1 Lucky Sweynesse, #3 Sight Success
Race 8: #4 Voyage Bubble, #1 California Spangle, #5 Beauty Eternal, #3 Healthy Happy
Race 9: #6 Straight Arron, #4 Five G Patch, #7 Sword Point, #3 Money Catcher
Race 10: #6 The Heir, #2 Celestial Colours, #10 Pins Prince, #8 Northern Beaches
Race 11: #11 Let's Do it, #7 Golden Samurai, #4 Simple Hedge, #6 Massive Action

Race 1: BOCHK Cross-border Services Handicap

#10 Star Club appears better than his record suggests. He can improve now, especially after an eye-catching set of trials for new trainer David Hall. Take a chance on him first up for the stable. #8 Romantic Hero has been trialling up a storm. He has his share of ability and this contest shapes as a suitable starting point. #7 Patch Of Time gets the services of Zac Purton. He's working well ahead of his debut. He has a suitable barrier to make his presence felt. #3 Party Warrior has claims and is next in line. Keep safe.

Race 2: BOCHK SME In One Handicap

#6 Columbus County can improve second-up, especially with Vincent Ho hopping up. He's a nice horse on his day and this grade of racing is more suitable. He can win off this rating, his lowest in a considerable amount of time. #3 All For St Paul's will play catch me if you can. He takes some reeling in and his racing pattern has him favoured. #7 Rise Brethren knows how to win over the course and distance. #4 Champion Dragon can race on the speed. He'll get his opportunity from there under Alexis Badel.

Race 3: BOC Life Handicap

#11 Prince Chiswick is a smart horse and he can improve second-up. His latest trial was nothing short of impressive and he can advance further this weekend. #4 Raging Blizzard returns after a lengthy break. He's since trialled well and pairs favourably with Zac Purton this time around for John Size. He does need to overcome gate 11 though. #2 Victory Scholars gets the 10lb off his back with the apprentice up. #8 Gorgeous Win makes his debut and has been doing plenty right at home and in trials. Keep safe.   

Race 4: BOCHK Asset Management Handicap

#3 Lucky With You was all class when winning last time out against several of this weekend's rivals. Expecting he can get the right run close to the speed and prove tough to get past, especially second-up. #2 Flying Ace roared into second spot last start. He can improve following that run and give this group something to worry about. #9 Lucky Encounter rises in grade chasing a hat-trick of wins. He's a nice horse but this is a big step up. #6 Bundle Of Charm will make his own luck. Next in line.

Race 5: BOCHK Wealth Management Handicap

#2 Eighty Light Years has caught the eye ahead of his return. He's trialled well and steps away from a favourable draw here as he chases a first Hong Kong win. #9 G Liner was caught too far back with too much work to do last start. He's better than that and Vincent Ho's booking suggests he has the ability. #6 Circuit Nine caught the eye last start, rolling into fourth position at his first run back this season. He can advance forward following that performance. #13 Lucky Fun is next in line.

Race 6: BOC Credit Card Handicap

#2 Sweet Encounter couldn't overcome the wide draw last start. He is much better suited here, especially at Sha Tin where he is a four-time winner. He'll get the right run and the opportunity should present. #11 Intrepid Winner is racing well this season and he can improve once more here. He's in career-best form and the light weight should afford him the right chance. He can keep developing. #4 Turin Mascot is after back-to-back wins. #10 C P Brave looks very good this season. Keep safe.

Race 7: G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint

#4 Duke Wai has consistency on his side and there are queries regarding a few rivals. He can run his usual race and if any of these falter, he'll be right there to pick up the prize. Take a chance on him. #2 Wellington is first-up after finishing down the track at Royal Ascot. Expecting he'll be better suited as the season progresses, however, his latest trial was very good. #1 Lucky Sweynesse has suffered consecutive defeats. He's had excuses and is racing well but needs to lift to be winning this one. #3 Sight Success is next best.  

Race 8: G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile

Tricky contest with five quality runners heading to post. #4 Voyage Bubble returns first-up here and he has a fair bit of improvement still to come it seems. He can fire and the pattern of the race may fall his way. #1 California Spangle is the class runner of the field and will be a deserved favourite. He'll set the pace and take getting past. #5 Beauty Eternal is lightly raced and open to continued improvement. Expecting he can do that here with Zac Purton up once more. #3 Healthy Happy is honest and deserves respect.

Race 9: G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup

#6 Straight Arron will improve as he rises in distance. His latest effort was sound. He will be much better here and he pairs favourably with his favourite ally Vincent Ho. One to beat. #4 Five G Patch charged home last start and is continuing to improve. He's yet to reach his ceiling and is capable of further progression this term. #7 Sword Point is another who continues to improve. He'll be better second-up, especially with Zac Purton up. #3 Money Catcher is the pace in the race. Expect another sound performance.

Race 10: BOCHK BOC Pay Handicap

#6 The Heir steps out on debut in Hong Kong. He brings a bit of quality form from Australia and his latest trial was sound. He can make his presence felt first-up against this group. #2 Celestial Colours also makes his debut. He looks to be in the right condition and he has a bit of speed about him. #10 Pins Prince is after back-to-back wins. He was solid last start when winning but will have to contend with Class 3 now. #8 Northern Beaches has shown glimpses of talent. Don't discount.

Race 11: BOCHK "Banking Trendytoo" Handicap

#11 Let's Do It was squeezed for room at crucial stages in the home straight last start. He was building into the race nicely that day and has shown he's close to another win in the city. He gets that chance here. #7 Golden Samurai has a touch of class and steps away ideally from gate six. He's suited over this trip and will be better following his first-up run. #4 Simple Hedge is after a hat-trick of wins. He just needs to overcome the wide draw to be a factor. #6 Massive Action is next in line. He'll lead and take running down.